BSR statement in support of the Lancet Report on NICE

The British Society for Rheumatology (BSR) welcomes the article published by the Lancet today on NICE and new drugs for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA).

The BSR has been extremely disappointed with the outcome of two recent announcements by the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). Firstly the decision by the NICE appeal committee not to approve treatment with Abatacept for RA, and the release of the NICE Appraisal Consultation Document not allowing patients access to an alternative anti-TNF if they have experienced an inadequate response with a first anti-TNF.

Dr Deborah Bax, BSR President said; “We support the sentiment of the Lancet article in suggesting that more than health economics should be taken into account when deciding which drugs should be available for NHS patients. Clinicians need more treatment choices for patients with resistant and aggressive disease.  Patients need to have access to a choice of biological drugs if the first one fails, such as a second anti-TNF. Abatacept works in a completely different way from other biological agents, and can work where other drugs have failed. Effective treatment can dramatically improve a patient’s quality of life. Patients with aggressive RA deserve high quality care from the NHS.”

For further information contact:

Katy Lewis
klewis@rheumatology.org.uk
(020) 7842 0919

May 2008

Note to Editor

1) The article in the Lancet was published on 3^rd May and can be accessed at www.thelancet.com